EVENT DATE: 9/25/05

LOCATION: Loudermilk Baseball Complex, Piedmont College

Over the weekend of September 24 and 25, we had four events – two on the West Coast and two on the East Coast.

We had Regional Events (B.A.T.S. and PUMA Tryout sessions) in Georgia and Sacramento, CA. At our headquarters in Columbia, MD we had a Pitchers & Catchers Mini-Camp. Also over the weekend was the Team One National Showcase in Las Vegas, NV.

We already mentioned the Regional Event in Sacramento, CA had the deepest talent of the year. As it turns out, the Piedmont College event is up there as well. Both rank in the Top 5 events of the year, along with New Orleans, LA (April) / Richmond, VA (May) / Las Vegas, NV (May).

Top Prospects

The Top Prospects were selected by Jim Gemler (Director of On-Field Sessions) and Mark Daniels (Scout) based on their performance at the event. The ranking is based on their status as college prospects, and is relative to the entire group of players we saw on the day.

IMPORTANT – We list players at the position(s) where we feel they are prospects. This may result in a player being listed at a position they did not play for us, or having a position they did play for us go unlisted. As usual, all references to “average” are based on high school standards.

1. Richard Pirkle, C/RHP, 2006 – Norcross, GA (Norcross HS), 6-0, 170, R/R. Arm strength and the ability to catch and throw stood out as well above average. His feet were quick, his exchange was clean, and his throws had great carry – release times were mostly in the 2.00 range, with a best of 1.90. Moved well laterally to block, further showcasing his athletic ability behind the plate. His hands were quick at the plate, and he showed good barrel accuracy – hit line drives and showed gap power. Did a good job of staying balanced, and also of keeping the barrel inside and through the ball – had a good overall stroke. A possible 2-way guy. Fastball was 83-84 mph, and his secondary stuff was above average. Delivery was balanced with good direction. Arm stroke was little short, as you would expect from a catcher, but was quick and loose out front.

2. Jonathan Sholar, C, 2007 – Fayetteville, GA (Whitewater HS), 6-3, 215, R/R. A young catcher with a strong body that shows potential in the future. He showed solid fundamentals behind the plate – hands were soft to receive. He let the ball travel well, and had a little sway in his body. To Block he created good angles, deadened the ball out front, and maintained body control. He also showed arm strength and with some instruction he can improve his footwork and exchange, which will improve his release times (2.18 best). He showed an above average stroke at the plate – had body control, balance, barrel accuracy, bat speed, and used all fields. Has potential to unlock more power with a little better load and pre-pitch action. Overall, a talented and physical young catching prospect.

3. Brent Williams, RHP, 2006 – Cocoa Beach, FL (Cocoa Beach HS), 5-11, 187, L/R. Williams has a thick strong body and he showed the best on the mound. He topped out at 84 mph with an above average CB and a near above average CH. He threw all three pitches for strikes with a balanced, smooth delivery and arm stroke. He separated on time and had good extension out front, which gave extra life to his pitches. He also showed his arm strength from 3B, was an adequate defender with potential to improve. Flashed some bat speed at the plate along with some hard contact to the pull side. He can work to use his hands better in his left handed stroke. Has potential to improve as a position player, while he already has some polish on the mound.

4. Tyler Thornburg, RHP/OF, 2007 – Atlanta, GA (Riverwood HS), 5-11, 148, R/R. Thornburg has a thin, wiry build – but has good life in his body and is a good overall athlete. He pitched from an over top slot, and produced a fastball between 84 and 87 mph. His breaking ball has tight 12 to 6 downward action with good depth, and he also threw a near above average change-up. His arm was loose and quick, and his delivery had good direction. Lacked some balance but still had above average control. A 7.09 runner with an above average arm from the outfield. Bat speed was above average and he made good pull side contact. Can reach better hitting position and keep the barrel in the zone longer, has upside at the plate. A very talented young player.

5. Brian Fagan, LHP, 2007 – Marietta, GA (Walton HS), 6-4, 230, L/L. A big bodied LHP with some strength in his lower half, is also an offensive lineman for his high school football team. Fastball was 83-85 mph from his over top slot, had some arm side life. Breaking ball was a downer with some tilt, spin was tight and break was sharp. Change-up is still in developmental stage, had some sink but he has not developed great feel yet. Arm was loose and quick and he did a good job of throwing his fastball and breaking ball over the plate – feel for those two pitches was above average. Delivery had good direction, despite a somewhat inactive glove side. Expect to see his stuff continue to develop as his body matures, his arm strength and ability to spin a breaking ball are exciting for a young LHP.

6. Bryant Jones, OF, 2006 – Lawrenceville, GA (Dacula HS), 6-0, 170, L/R. Jones has an athletic body with great strength – he has clearly spent his time in the weight room. He ran 6.84 in the 60 yard dash, and hit from the left side of the plate. He showed above average bat speed and did a good job of letting the ball travel deep into the hitting zone. He maintained good balance and had good hip action through contact, allowed him to extend very well through contact. Some pop showed to the pull side, where his best contact was. Can improve his opposite field contact, his stroke and contact point indicate potential to improve in that area – would help add value to his speed. A solid defender in the outfield, moved well and took good angles to the ball. Arm was slightly above average.

Top Prospects ARCHIVE

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